Teryl Schessler

Messages of Condolence and Love

It has taken me weeks to attempt to explain what Teryl meant to me as a teacher, and I am still at a loss for words.  She was simply, incredible.  Her primate behavior class was the pivotal moment of my college career.  I walked into that class an unhappy student, forcing myself to go through the motions.  I left that class with a love for physical Anthropology; and my education taking a different direction with an unexpected minor in Anthropology.  Had I taken a class with Teryl before then, Anthropology just might have been my major.  There was something about her teaching method that bordered on the philosophical for me.  Her lectures were thought provoking and I always left her class in awe of some new idea, and on an intellectual high.  Simply put: I learned from her.  I didn’t just memorize and regurgitate information that I would quickly forget.  I became aware of the human experience, and I found an appreciation for the wonder of life.  Teryl was the one for me – the one teacher I knew I would remember 20 years down the line.  And over time, she became a friend.  Her battle was a brave and long one; and I was completely shocked to find out that it had ended just a week after seeing her.  This being my final semester, the last thing I ever said to her was “I am really going to miss you”.  We all will.  Rest in Peace Teryl – you’ve been a great teacher and friend.  Knowing you has been a privilege. 

Love, Always,

Professor Schessler was an amazing person. I took several of her classes and never missed one. She was an amazing person with a kind heart and will be deeply missed. Her classes were not only informative but exciting. I really enjoyed learning from her and hearing her stories and i feel lucky to have met her and experienced her classes. My thoughts go out to her family and friends.

Professor Schessler showcased genuine enthusiasm and integrity in her love for both anthropology and education; something that was unmatched in the scope of my entire CSUF career. Her excitement made me excited. She really challenged people to think not only outside of the box, but outside of our own environment. She made the world seem smaller and people seem connected in the midst of varying cultures and practices. She truly celebrated international harmony and made intercultural understanding seem natural. I love it when people aren't bound by typical ways of thinking, and surely, professor Schessler was anything but typical. Her humility and virtue will be missed!

The world is a little sadder and less full without Teryl in it. She was a great teacher and mentor. Thank you for all the things you shared with us. You will be missed.

Kathleen

I am writing to extend my sincere condolences to Teryl Schessler's family and friends. Although I only had Professor Schessler for one class I can honestly say she inspired me to continue my passion for visual anthropology. The last time I saw Teryl Schessler was on the day of my master's defense when I went to her office and was excited to give her a copy of my film. I asked if she would be gracious enough to look over my film and offer any suggestions. She kindly smiled and said she would. I asked her how she was doing and she explained to me of the looming surgery. I introduced her to my girlfriend and we asked her if we could take her out for dinner sometime, which she graciously declined stating that she could not for the time being. What I best remember from that day is how she was still willing to help even though she seemed so very tired. Teryl Schessler always made time to offer suggestions and encouragement and that I will never forget! She was a kind, intelligent, helpful, and no nonsense individual. In other words she was very real. Her insight and suggestions were invaluable in helping me edit and create my documentary. She will be missed as a teacher and human being. I feel that the best way to honor those that have left this earth and continue on their journey forward is by remembering them as they were. I will remember Professor Schessler as the funny, caring, sincere, and passionate teacher who helped me explore my passion for anthropology. I will not forget her! 

-May we all remember those who have touched our lives if even briefly and encouraged us to pursue our dreams.  

Salvador

Professor Schessler was a very genuine and helpful teacher.  I took her class for the first time last semester which was Primate Behavior.  I could see her passion for primate and her study in Madagascar was very interesting.  I also can't forget the voice she imitated each primate.  During the semester, I created gorilla's portrait and gave it to her after the final.  When I brought the painting to her, I realized that there were many arts of primate on the wall in her office.  After she opened my painting, she shared that she was an artist and own her gallery!!  I embarrassed myself, but she seemed to be very happy to receive my painting.  When I left her office, she gave one of her pieces of art with her message.  It is my treasure now.

In this spring semester, I took her class again.  When I shared how difficult it is for me to write papers ( I am an ESL student), she said, "I am happy to help you!  I am here for you, right?"

As she said, she supported me very much.  She also wrote a recommendation letter for my scholarship application.  The letter she wrote for me is now the root my power and encourages me all the time. After the final, she was saying that after the surgery, she was going to go back to Montana to "rest".  When I think about she could not rest in her hometown, it makes me sad..... I really, really want to thank her being such a wonderful professor, and I will never forget her.

Junko

    I am quite sadden to know that Teryl Schessler recently passed away. Teryl was as supportive as anyone could ask for of my life-long work. Teryl wanted to create a documentary of my work, which we never got a chance to do. When we had fundraisers at the Gibbon Conservation Center, Teryl donated her art to raise money for our silent auction, and at the same time was bidding on many of the primate items as well. Teryl would accompany volunteer work groups from Fullerton and was one of the stronger volunteers, and one of the most helpful. She always had a great disposition, and contributed positive impute to our discussions.
    They say the good leave earlier for they have learned what they needed to in this life. I feel Teryl was a wonderful person and it was her time, but we will all miss her. I would have liked to spend more quality time with Teryl than I did, but am happy for the times we spent working alongside each other at GCC, and speaking to one another at conferences, on the phone, and at GCC.  From what I know of Teryl she was a wonderful professor, and will be greatly missed. I hope Teryl will find peace in her destiny, and is smiling above us.

With warm regards,
Alan
Director
Gibbon Conservation Center

I only knew Professor Teryl for a semester in Culture and Nutrition.  

I thought the class sounded interesting so I decided to take it in the open space I had available.  I learned a lot in the class, little facts that I use regularly surprisingly.  She taught us through lectures where she told us facts and amazing stories of when she was traveling in South America or Madagascar or Asia.  Her lectures very much interested me and I gained much respect for her.

A week into the class I waited for her for the first time and we walked and talked together for a while.  she told me she had so little energy compared to what she used to but to me she had enormous amounts of energy for someone going through kemo.  I told her that I admired her and hoped that one day I could have such a colorful life with so many wonderful experiences.  She told me that she knew I have a great life ahead of me, that  my turn would come soon enough.  We talked several times after that which made me respect her more.  When a problem arose with the office she helped me until it was resolved.

I always looked forward to the class, I paid attention to Teryl's lectures closely and did very well on all the tests.  I never have responded well academically to lecture classes before this class.  Her personality and stories created a fertile learning environment for me.  Not because of her death, but because of her teaching style and personality that she was one of the best teachers I have ever had.

She always spoke of other cultures and people with respect.  She was a very wise person who told us of her adventerous life.  She was finishing kemo at the time and I admired her strength and good spirits even though she was sick.  I told my mom about my intersting ex-ice skater, escavating, raised in the sticks, anthropologist professor multiple times and that she needed to meet her, unfortunately she won't be able to.  I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had with Professor Teryl and learned more lessons than just about culture and nutrition from her.  She was and remains a marvelous person who I will continue to respect and admire.

-Ariel

I am extremely saddened upon hearing the passing of my beloved teacher Teryl Schessler, who was not only a distinguished anthropologist, a brilliant documentarian and illustrator, a great teacher and friend, but also a superior human being whose inspiration and intelligence to pursuit seeing the beauty of life through its direst situation shepherded all who knew her. A tall and lithe woman of scholarly bearing, Teryl possessed great charisma, sincerity, and humor. Her infectious enthusiasm for anthropology was beyond words. Her quiet dedication, influence, and respect to me and many of my fellow schoolmates kept her in a very special place in our hearts. I admire that Teryl was giving the best of herself to her class during every class. I admire that Teryl was always positive and optimistic about life and the world around. I admire that Teryl had been incredibly spirited throughout her weariness and painfulness. I admire that Teryl had a smile on her face every time I saw her... Teryl will be dearly missed!

Robert

I would like to extend my condolences to Professor Schessler’s family and to the Anthropology Department.  During this last semester she inspired me to think from perspectives that I had not before, and provoked within me an understanding of history from an anthropological point of view.  She shared with her student’s a love and interest in all living things and ecologies (especially Madagascar).  She will be missed.

Herbert

I first took a class from Professor Schessler in the fall of 2007, when I transferred to Cal State Fullerton.  I remember that she always told her students that we didn’t have to call her “Professor Schessler” because it was so tricky to say.  I enjoyed my first class with her, Culture and Nutrition, so much that I took Professor Schessler’s American Indian, Primate Behavior, and Medical Anthropology classes.  I would have liked to have taken more of her interesting subjects.  I think my fondest memory was in Primate Behavior when Professor Schessler would make calls like the primates we were studying.  I don’t know if she did this to wake up dozing students, or if she was just really good at mimicking monkeys and apes.  Either way, it always brought a smile to my face and made class more enjoyable and a fun experience.  She shared pictures from her work in Madagascar and always had interesting stories to tell.  Spring of 2009 was my last semester at Cal State Fullerton.  Just as I began my anthropology path at Fullerton with Professor Schessler, I ended my studies with her Medical Anthropology online class.  I’m so pleased that I could experience as many of Professor Schessler’s classes as I did and as much as I’m saddened by her passing, I feel so lucky to have been a part of her last class and to have learned so much from her. 

Thank you, Ashley

I am extremely saddened to read your email and learn that Professor Schessler has passed away. She was a wonderful instructor and I truly enjoyed her class. I am in awe of her ability to teach while battling the last stages of this horrific disease. I very much want to attend her memorial services and would greatly appreciate being sent the details. 

Thank you,

Stephanie

I find myself constantly battling school from semester to semester. I have never been enthusiastic about school so college has always dragged for me. However, there are those classes, or better yet those professors, that make it all worth it. Personally, I have rated my college experience based on the professors which I have had. A bell curve can be applied with many things in life. Teryl Schessler was one of those professors that deviated from the norm. She was on that end of the spectrum that made college what it should be. She was a fountain of knowledge on the subject and it was quite apparent she took pride in what she did. She was helpful, informative, and everything you could ever ask for in a great professor.

This past semester was my only experience I had with Professor Schessler. It was the little things that I will remember like her mimicking the primate noises and the anecdotal gems she always told. My heart goes out to the family and all those involved in her life. She will most certainly be missed. It is a loss not only for family and friends but for the school and the students.

Regards,
Josh

P.s. Rest in peace Professor Schessler.

I didnt even know Ms. Schessler had cancer, this is so sad to hear.  She was a great professor and she was actually helping me with my academic adivsing.  She inspired me to learn more about medical anthropology and we would talk about different perspectives on the field alot through email and such.  I am so glad she was able to touch my life and give me inspiration.  She will be forever remembered in my heart.  Thank you.  Peace and Blessings,
Cassandra

I am deeply sorry for the loss of Professor Teryl Schessler.  I was never able to have a class with her but always wanted to.  Her family and fellow department members are in my thoughts and prayers.

Regrettfully,

Natalie

Teryl Schessler  was the best teacher a student could have ever asked for. She was intelligent, funny, delightful, and above all, a great friend. She was magnificent! It is because of Teryl that I aspired to become an anthropologist myself. I have always admired her with all my heart and will never forget all that she has taught me about life. Teryl, I will always keep you near and dear to my heart. You will be greatly missed!

"Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains"
              
Deneve

I I attended Professor Schessler's Human Evolution Class at Cal State.  She had just had cancer related surgery and chemo therapy at the time.  She was limping and in pain, but she displayed remarkable focus for the sake of her students.  A dedicated teacher, an artist, and an inspiring individual.  I wish I had had the opportunity to know her better.

Bonnie

Unfortunately I did not have the privilege to meet Prof. Teryl Schessler in person.  I took an online class with her in which she was very friendly and attentive to her students. I also talked with her (through email) about Visual Anthropology.  I did not know that she had cancer and was very saddened to hear she had passed.  My Deepest condolences to her family and friends.

~Susan

Professor Schessler looked really well on the last day of class. This is such sad news!  .... =(   I am really really sorry and sad to hear about this. She was an amazing teacher, I really enjoyed her class!

-Chloe

It brings me much sorrow to hear this news.  It is hard to accept that a person that I've known as a guiding light has left us.  She was the best professor I've ever had and was so understanding.  I hope that this institution and ourselves as individuals can cope with this tremendous loss of such a gem.

Serene

I learned today that Teryl Schessler passed away.  I was very sad to hear this.   But I wanted to say that she touched a lot of people.  I learned a lot from Teryl.  I took two of her classes, her film class and her human evolution class.  Both were very interesting, and she was a real pro.  Sometimes you get to meet rare individuals in this life that with a certain kind of phrase here, a wise nod there, clue us in on how we might want to live our lives in the future.   They encourage us through their examples to reconsider ourselves.  I hope to be such a person.  She was a very gifted teacher. What really endeared her to me, and I’m sure others would agree, is that she was so personable, a very real person.  There was no pretense in her, and she was comfortable in her own skin.  How many of us can claim that? After classes she and I would talk about anthropology or just life in general, politics, etc.  She had a real impact on me, and I know she did on a lot of people.  I wanted to pass that on.  I am so very sad, and I feel lucky to have known and learned from her.  I will miss her.

Jeff

I knew Professor Schessler for a very brief time while taking an on-line anthropology class from her recently. Although my relationship with her was "virtual," her warmth and knowledge of anthropology was very evident. She was upbeat, patient, and understanding. She helped me to appreciate the wonderment and value of worldwide cultures. Because of her, I am learning to respect cultural differences. I was deeply saddened by her passing. I am certain her energy and spirit will live on in many of us who knew her. May her loved ones find comfort in knowing that she had the ability to touch others even without meeting them in person.
In sympathy,
Cindy

My name is julieta ballest  I had ms. Teryl Schessler for anthropology 315 culture and nutrition. This professor was very knowledgeable about her course and a great professor. She was nice and I liked the fact that on her lectures she was always positive. She had charisma and sometimes was funny when making her lectures. Eventhough she had cancer I admired her giving the best of her self to her class and she had always a smile on her face.

Professor Schessler will be greatly missed. I had the extreme pleasure of taking Primate Anthropology with her last semester, and feel grateful for that experience. She brought such joy to the subject, and her enthusiasm was infectious. Her level of dedication to teaching is proven by the fact that she never complained about her illness, and even when she was in obvious discomfort, she forged ahead. My thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones. I am saddened by this loss, but feel fortunate that I had the chance to know her.

Cindy

I would like to say that, as a student from Human Services, i feel that Teryl was an angel to Anthropology.  I had to take Primate Behavior as an upper division requirement and thought i would hate every second of it.  When i met Teryl i knew i was going to love it, and i did.  She made my experience with monkys a pleasant one instead of thoughts of disgust like i had previously had.  I am sad to hear the news and would like to attend a memorial, if planned.  My heart goes out to her family, they lost an angel here but now she is in a happier, and healther place.  God Bless Teryl and her family.  She is missed.

Sincerely,
Adrienne